Born on January 3, 1831, Savitribai Phule (née Patil) is one of India’s foremost social reformers. She was the first modern Indian woman to become a teacher when girls were not allowed to attend schools. She was also a poetess. On the occasion of her 191st birth anniversary, we look at some of the major achievements of Savitribai.
With the help of her husband Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai founded what is considered to be the first school for girls in India. The institute was established in 1848 at Bhide Wada, Pune. It will be rebuilt as a national monument and a girls’ school.
Savitribai was illiterate when she was married off at the age of nine. However, Jyotiba was a progressive figure who taught her to read and write. Savitribai completed her education and received training to become a teacher. She became the first female teacher of India and the first Indian headmistress.
Savitribai never forgot her past and, in 1854, established a shelter for child brides, widows and other women abandoned by their families. She and her husband were thrown out of the house by her father-in-law for opening a girls’ school. Savitribai opened 17 more schools with Jyotiba.
Fatima Begum Shaikh, an educated woman and sister of Jyotiba’s friend Usman Shaikh, joined Savitribai at the Bhide Wada school. She became the first Muslim female teacher in the country.
Despite repeated attacks from upper caste people, Savitribai continued to teach girls and children of different castes. She was also against the practice of Sati. She and Jyotiba adopted Kashibai’s son Yashwantrao, a widow whom orthodox Brahmins wanted to kill after her husband’s death.
Savitribai founded a center called Balhatya Prabandhak Griha for pregnant rape victims, where she helped them give birth to and protect their children. He also opened a clinic with Yashwantrao in 1897 for bubonic plague victims.
On March 10, 1897, Savitribai died after contracting the disease from a 10-year-old boy whom she was trying to save. However, the boy narrowly escaped.
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